Paint mask structure



June 16, 1942\ J. E. DUGGAN PAINT MASK STRUCTURE Filed July 29, 1940 INVENTOR.

JAMES EDWARD DUGGAN atenied june 16, 1942 OFFICE PAINT MASK STRUCTURE James Edward Duggan, Detroit, Mich.

Application July 29, 1940, Serial N0. 348,264

14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to devices used when painting to cover or otherwise conceal one or more surfaces or portions so that such surface or portion will be protected from the paint being applied to an adjacent surface or portion, and refers more particularly to mask structures applicable to various elements or parts of different configuration, such as the bodies, cowls, fenders, et cetera of automobiles.

Heretofore the masks have been formed of sheet material, such as paper, and have been provided with adhesive tape to hold them in position. This was performed by hand and aside from the excessive time and labor involved was objectionable due to the diificulty experienced when the masks were removed. Frequently when the adhesive tape was removed it pulled or marred the finish of the surface engaged or left marks upon the surfaces to which it was applied. Such marks had to be removed and this required additional time and labor. Moreover, the use of paper was not satisfactory.

In the present instance the objections to the previous construction have been overcome by the provision of a resilient mask, preferably made of rubber or rubber composition, that may be applied to uneven or irregular as well as smooth surfaces and that is provided with vacuum means for retaining it in place when applied.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a durable mask structure that will stand repeated handling and use and that may be easily and quickly applied or removed without marring the surface with which it is engaged.

Another object is to provide a mask structure that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

Another object is to provide a mask structure that includes an apron and has means for supporting the apron and for holding it from flapping.

Another object is to provide a mask structure wherein the supporting and holding means mentioned are vacuum members of such shape and material that they will automatically cause detachment thereof from the surface engaged when the suction is cut off or the vacuum is destroyed.

Another object is to provide mask structures of the type mentioned that are adapted to be coupled or connected together for joint application in side by side relation to a surface or portion of the article to be protected.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of I construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description ,proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an automobile with mask structures embodying my invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the mask structures when viewed from the outside thereof;

Figure 3 isa perspective view of the mask structure illustrated in Figure'2 when viewed from the inside thereof;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another of the masked structures and showing the hollow dowels for attachment with other mask structures;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the mask structures and showing one of the suction cups applied thereto;

Figure 6 is a sectional view through the suction cup illustrated in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 3.

A is the apron, and B and C, respectively, are the supporting and attaching members of a mask structure embodying my invention.

As shown, the apron A is in the form of a light flexible sheet and is preferably made of rubber or rubber composition. Such apron A may be any shape or size desired? The supporting member B extends along one edge of the apron A and is preferably made of rubber or rubber composition. In the present instance the member B is in the form of a strip of concave-convex cross section and is cemented to the apron A. H! is a suction passage extending longitudinally of the member, preferably throughout its length, and H and I2, -respectively, are suction passages extending transversely of the member at spaced points longitudinally thereof. As shown, the transverse passages II have flared mouths I3 in the concaved surface I of the member and extend rearwardly to the longitudinal passage Ill, while the transverse passages IZ extend rearwardly from the longitudinal passage l0 through the convex surface l5 of the member and receive short tubes l6 upon which are sleeved suitable hose l1 leading to a suitable suction machine (not shown). Any number of transverse passages II and I2, respectively, may be used as desired.

The attaching members C are located adjacent the other edges of the apron at spaced points thereof and are preferably in the form of suction cups. By referring to Figures 5 and 6, it will be noted that each member C has a body tially concavo-convex configuratlon ,'a centrally Q 20 of rubber or rubber composition of substanporting-members B are plugged or closed by 1 any suitable means (not shown).

located metal socket 2| and an'adjusting screw 22. Preferably the base 23 of .the socket extends laterally beyond the stem 24 thereof and is provided at the center'thereof with-an opening 25,

. while the stem 24 is preferably tubular in form and is interiorly threaded. The screw 22 threadedly engages the tubular stem 24 and has a pointed end 26 adapted to engage the edges of and close the opening.25. Said screw 22 also has a knurled "head 21 by-which it may be manipulated and is provided adjacent said head with '--a .shgulder -28. Thus, the base23 of the socket serves"as a VaIVB-seat, while the screw 22 serves as a valve for controlling the opening 25 in said seat. To permit the flow of air through the socket 2| when the screw 22 is removed from the seat 23, there is a passage 29 extending longitudinally of the tubular stem 24 throughout its length. Normally the body 20 of each suction cup C is upon the inner side of the apron A, while the screw 22 extends through an opening in the apron so that the knurled head 21 is accessible upon the outside of the apron. To prevent the apron A from being torn by the screw 22, there is a grommet 30 in each opening in the apron embracing the edges thereof and serving as an eyelet for the shank of the screw. If desired such grommet 30 may be provided with an opening 29 for registration with the air passage 29 in the tubular stem 24.

In use, the suction machine (not shown) to which the tubes H are connected is operated first, then the concave surface H of the supporting member B is pressed against the surface of the automobile at the proper place to cause the apron A to cover the part to be protected. When applied, the concave surface I will flatten out somewhat, and the vacuum created by said machine in the member B will cause the flattened surface of said member to adhere to the surface engaged and thereby support the apron. The suction cups C may then be applied to the surface to be engaged by adjusting the screws 22 against their seats 23 to close the respective openings 25. The concave surfaces 31 of the cups are then pressed in the usual manner against the surface to be engaged to hold the apron against flapping. The surface of the automobile adjacent the mask may then be painted in the usual manner without marring the surface covered by the mask. When it is desired to remove the mask, the screws 22 may be unseated from the openings 25 to permit the entry of air from the atmosphere into the body 20, and the usual finger control of the suction machine may be operated to cut off the suction to the supporting member B. Then, the concaved formations and resiliency of the rubber material of the member A and bodies 20 will cause detachment of the apron from the engaged surface without marring the same.

When it is desired to assemble a plurality of masks, such as that just described upon a given surface, adjacent masks are joined together by dowels 40 in the meeting ends of the supporting members B. As shown, these dowels 40 are tubular so as to form continuations of the passages ill in the supporting members B. However, when only one mask is being used or two or more masks are being used in spaced relation to each other, the dowels 40 are unnecessary, and the ends of the longitudinal passage ill in the respective sup- .Thus, from the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a mask held by vacuum upon the surface to be protected and that may be easily and quickly applied and removed without marring the engaged surface as heretofore.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A mask structure of the class described, comprising an apron for covering the surface to be. protected, and means for holding the apron in place on said surface, the apron being a. flexible sheet, and the holding means including a vacuum strip of concave-convex cross section secured to and extending along an edge of said sheet.

. ,2. A mask'structure of the class described,

comprisingan apr on.for covering the surface to be protected, and means for holding the apron in place on said surface, the apron being 8. flexible sheet, and the holding means including a vacuum strip of concavo-convex cross section secured to and extending along an edge of said sheet, said strip having a longitudinally extending suction passage, and two sets of transversely extending suction passages at spaced points longitudinally thereof, one set extending through the convex surface of the strip to the longitudinally extending passage, and the other set extending from said longitudinally extending passage through the concave surface of the strip.

3. A mask structure of the class described, comprising an apron for covering the surface to be protected, and means for holding the apron in place on said surface, the apron being a flexible sheet, and the holding means including a vacuum strip of concavo-convex cross section secured to and extending along an edge of said sheet, said strip having a longitudinally extending suction passage, and two sets of transversely extending suction passages at spaced points longitudinally thereof, one set extending through the convex surface of the strip to the longitudinally extending passage, and the other set extending from said longitudinally extending passage through the concave surface of the strip, and suction tubes connected to the first mentioned set of transverse passages.

4. A mask structure of the class described, comprising an apron for covering the surface to be protected, and means for holding the apron in place on said surface, the apron being a flexible sheet, and the holding means including a plurality of vacuum cups carried by said sheet, each of said cups having a concavo-convex body engageable with said surface, a socket located centrally of the body and having a suction opening, and an adjusting screw extending through the sheet and cooperating with the socket to hold the cup on the sheet, said screw being adjustable in the socket relative to the suction opening to control the operation of said cup.

5. A mask structure of the class described, comprising an apron for covering the surface to be protected, and means for holding the apron in place on said surface, the apron being a flexible sheet, and the holding means including a strip extending along and secured to said sheet at an edge thereof, said strip having a longitudinally extending suction passage, and dowels projecting endwise from said passage for coupling engagement with suction passages in adjacent masks, said dowels being tubular so as to form extensions of said passage.

6. A mask structure of the class described having an apron, and a supporting member therefor, the apron being a light flexible sheet, and the supporting member being a flexible suction strip extending along one edge of and secured throughout its length to said apron, said suction strip being provided throughout its length with a concave suction face and one or more suction passages in communication with said concave face.

7. A mask structure of the class described comprising an apron for covering a surface to be protected, and an elongated vacuum member extending along and secured throughout its length to an edge of said apron and provided throughout its length with a concave suction face for engagement with the surface to be protected.

8. A mask structure of the class described comprising a relatively thin sheet of resilient material for covering a surface to be protected, and means for holding the sheet in place on said surface, including a flexible vacuum strip extending along and secured throughout its length to an edge of said sheet and provided throughout its length with a concave suction face for engagement with the surface to be protected.

9. A mask structure of the class described having a flexible apron, and a flexible suction strip secured to said apron, said strip being provided throughout its length with a concave suc tion face and provided in spaced relation to the concave face with a longitudinally extending suction passage, said strip being also provided at spaced points longitudinally thereof with transversely extending passages in communication with the concave face and longitudinal passage aforesaid.

10. A mask structure of the class described having an apron and a suction strip, the strip being secured to the apron and having transversely spaced substantially parallel suction portions, one being a longitudinally extending concave suction face, and the other a longitudinally extending suction passage, said strip having one or more suction passages extending between and opening into the longitudinally extending passage and concave face.

11. A mask structure of the class described having an apron and a suction strip, the strip being secured to the apron and having a longitudinally extending concave suction face, a longitudinally extending suction passage, and two sets of transversely extending suction passages, the longitudinally extending passage being spaced from and substantially parallel to the concave face, one set of transverse passages extending between the longitudinal passage and concave face, and the other set extending from the longitudinal passage to the exterior of the strip for connection with a uction machine.

12. A mask structure of the class described having an apron for covering a surface to be protected, and means for holding the apron in place on said surface, including a plurality of vacuum cups detachably carried by said apron,

each of said cups having a flexible body on one side of the apron provided with a concave suction face for engagement with the surface to be protected, a metal socket at the center of said body and provided in the base thereof in communication with the concave suction face of the body with a suction opening, and an adjusting screw extending through the apron from the other side thereof and cooperating with the socket to hold the body on the apron, said screw being adjustable in the socket relative to the base thereof to control said suction opening.

13. A mask structure of the class described having an apron for covering a surface to be protected, and means for holding the apron in place on said surface, including a vacuum cup having a flexible body on One side of the apron provided with a concave suction face for engagement with the surface to be protected, a metal socket at the center of said body and provided in the base thereof in communication with the concave suction face of the body with a suction opening, and an adjusting screw extending through the apron from the .other side thereof and cooperating with the socket to hold the body on the apron, said screw being adjustable in the socket relative to the base thereof to control said suction opening, the socket also having a vent to permit the flow of air therefrom when the screw is adjusted away from said suction opening,

14. A mask structure of the class described having an apron for covering a surface to be protected, and means for holding the apron in place on said surface, including a concavo-convex suction strip secured to said apron, said strip having a longitudinally extending suction passage in communication with the concave face of the strip, and tubular dowels projecting endwise from and constituting extensions of said passage for coupling engagement with suction passages in adjacent masks.

JAMES EDWARD DUGGAN. 

